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Whether you’re just starting to cook for the first time or you’re a veteran in the kitchen, having the right tools to prepare your meals is essential. Having everything you need in your kitchen allows you to more quickly and easily prepare anything, from a traditional family dinner to a gourmet meal for that special someone in your life.
One of the biggest tasks you’ll find while preparing any type of meal is the cutting, chopping, and dicing. This prep step will take no time at all when you have professional-quality knives at hand.
Compare: The 10 Best Chef Knives of 2020
| Picture | Name | Brand | Price | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Wusthof Classic 12-Inch Cook's Knife | Wusthof | $$$$ | 4.9 |
 | Shun Premier Chef's Knife, 8-Inch | Shun | $$$$ | 4.9 |
 | Victorinox 47521 10-Inch Chef's Knife | Victorinox | $ | 4.5 |
 | Shun DM0706 Classic 8-Inch Chef's Knife | Shun | $$$$ | 4.9 |
 | Wusthof Classic Ikon 8-Inch Cook's Knife | Wusthof | $$$$ | 4.8 |
 | Global G-16 10 inch Chef's Knife | Global | $$$ | 4.7 |
 | J.A. HENCKELS INTERNATIONAL Classic 8-inch Chef's Knife | J.A. HENCKELS | $$ | 4.6 |
 | Global G-2 8 inch Chef's Knife | Global | $$ | 4.6 |
 | Mercer Culinary Renaissance 8 inch Chef's Knife | Mercer | $$ | 4.5 |
 | Victorinox Fibrox 8-Inch Chef's Knife | Victorinox | $ | 4.4 |
| Picture | Name | Brand | Price | Rating |
What is a Chef Knife?
Contents
Chef knives, at one time, were once used to separate larger slabs of meat. However, these have become extremely versatile tools that are used in all aspects of kitchen prep. In general, a chef knife has a blade that is eight inches long and 1 ½ inches wide. However, this design has been modified through the years, so there are chef knives available that are longer and shorter.
These knives are used for many different things, including cutting large slabs of meat, as well as chopping and dicing vegetables and other ingredients. For anyone that cooks, this knife is a must-have item in the kitchen.
What are the different types of Chef Knives?
If you want to easily slice and dice your food while preparing your next meal, you can’t go wrong with a chef knife. However, if you’ve ever shopped online or in a kitchen store, you may be overwhelmed by the sheer number of knives available. Before you purchase one of these knives, make sure you’re getting one that meets your needs by knowing about the different types.
Aside from being made of different materials and being manufactured in two different ways, there are two main types of chef’s knives to look out for. The design is the only real difference, and amateur and professional chefs do not typically prefer one over the other. It’s typically a matter of personal preference as to which one you use, as they both can be used to effectively cut through meat, fruits, vegetables, and other food.
- German-style knives – These knives have a deeper curve that runs through the length of the knife’s blade. These knives may be made of a variety of different materials, including but not limited to stainless steel, carbon, and ceramic. Most knives are typically made of high-carbon stainless steel because of its durability.
- French-style knives – These knives are straighter until they get to the edge of the blade, where they begin to curve. Like German-style knives, French-style knives can be made from many different materials but most frequently are made from high-carbon stainless steel.
What are the Advantages of owning a Chef Knife?
If you do any sort of cooking, a chef knife is a must. A chef knife quickly and easily carves through just about anything, so your prep time is shorter and the process is much easier. You won’t have to worry about trying to saw them cuts of meat or hard vegetables and risk cutting yourself. Instead, a chef knife will glide easily through just about anything. You can cut through meat, chop vegetables in seconds, dice fruit, or any other type of food.
It should be noted, however, that because of the balance of these knives, a little practice is needed to get the technique just right. However, you’ll find that with regular use, you’ll be chopping like a pro in no time at all. Most traditional knife sets purchased for a kitchen come with a chef’s knife, but many cooks choose to purchase a separate knife that is sharper and higher quality than those that come packaged with a full set.
Who are the contenders for Best Chef Knife?
Victorinox Fibrox 8-Inch Chef’s Knife – This affordable Chef Knife cleans your car without swirls and streaks left behind. This soap has wax built-in, as well, so you can restore the shine to your vehicle, just like you had it professionally washed and waxed. It protects your paint after you’ve washed it, and it’s a great overall value.
Wusthof Classic 12-Inch Cook’s Knife – Chop just like the professional with this knife from Wusthof. It comes with a large 12-inch blade for easy cutting of large slices of meat, veggies, and so much more. No matter what you want to slice and dice, you can do it with ease with this German-style chef’s knife that’s made from high-carbon stainless steel, features a well-made, contoured handle, and is perfectly balanced for fast and easy chopping. It’s also backed with Wusthof’s limited lifetime warranty, so you know it’s going to last a lifetime.
Considerations for Choosing a Chef Knife
If you’re shopping for a new knife to add to your collection, there are a few things you should consider before you make your purchase. These general-purpose knives are typically priced more expensively than other knives, so you want to make sure you get the best bang for your buck. With these four considerations, you can easily pick out a knife that meets all of your culinary needs.
Price
Price should always be a consideration, but you shouldn’t rely solely on this feature. In fact, you may need to make a higher initial investment to get a higher quality knife that comes with a full warranty, as opposed to purchasing a very cheap knife that dulls or breaks easily and does not have a warranty. Consider all other features of the knife before you make your purchasing decision.
Type of knife
Consider where the knife was made, what materials it is made of, and how it was made. These facts can help you determine whether or not it is the right knife to add to your kitchen collection.
Length
Consider how long the blade of the knife is before you purchase. Most chef knives are 8 inches in length. However, you may want a larger one for bigger tasks, or a smaller one if you want one that’s easier to handle.
Warranty
You want to protect your investment, and there’s no better way to do that than with a warranty. Check to make sure any knife you are going to purchase comes with a warranty that offers a replacement or repair if your knife breaks with normal use.
Final Decision: Our Chef Knife Reviews Are In
Victorinox Fibrox 8-Inch Chef’s Knife – Best Cheap Chef Knife
You can chop, mince, slice, and dice with ease with this knife, which features a high-carbon 8-inch blade that retains its edge and sharpness, even with regular use. It has been laser tested to ensure quality, and each knife is expertly made in Switzerland.
This knife has an ergonomic Firbox handle is textured, slip-resistant, and easy to hold. The special tempering process used allows the 2-inch wide blade to remain sharp and to be sharpened over and over again. Despite its lower price tag, the quality and features of this knife are very comparable to more expensive models.
Pros:
It is very affordable. Comes with a lifetime warranty. It is made with high-quality stainless steel. It retains its sharpness. Sharpening allows it to stay as sharp as it was the day you got it. The handle is comfortable to hold.
Cons:
It must be hand washed and dried or it will rust. The blade is thinner than more expensive models. With rough use, the tip may break.
Wusthof Classic Ikon 8-Inch Cook’s Knife – Best Chef Knife for the Money
This could be the most versatile knife in your kitchen. It slices, dices, and minces any type of food with ease. This German-style chef knife has a precision forged 8-inch blade that’s made from a single piece of German stainless steel. It has double bolsters for balance, and it has a contoured grip that allows you to hold it comfortably in place.
You can trust that this knife has been made with high-quality materials, as well as a superior attention to detail that will quickly make it your favorite to use in the kitchen. You won’t have to worry about it breaking, but if it does, you have a limited lifetime warranty to fully protect your purchase.
Pros:
It has a comfortable, contoured grip. It is precision forged with high-quality German stainless steel. Not too heavy. Comes in multiple sizes. It is very sharp and can cut through almost anything. Extremely versatile. It comes with a warranty.
Cons:
The handle feels cheaply made. The handle is a bit small, so it’s best for someone with smaller hands.
Wusthof Classic 12-Inch Cook’s Knife – Best Chef Knife Overall
You don’t have to be a top chef to own a professional-quality knife, and if quality is what you want, superior quality is what you get with this classic knife from Wusthof, a leader in kitchen cutlery. This knife has a long 12-inch blade that’s ready to carve through anything. Whether you want to dice an onion or slice through a thick cut of beef, this knife is ready for your most difficult prep work.
This German-style knife is strong, well-balanced, comfortable to hold, and easy to use. The blade stays sharp through multiple uses, and it can easily be sharpened to be good as new again. If you ever have any issues with your knife through normal use, it is backed with a lifetime warranty.
Pros:
It is easy to use and very sharp. The handle is comfortable. The knife is well-balanced. It is made of quality materials. Should last for years. It handles all prep work. It’s ideal for larger hands.
Cons:
It is much more expensive than other chef knives. It does not come with a sheath to protect the blade or to protect from cuts when not in use.
In Conclusion
Whether you cook on occasion or you like to go all out with dinner every night, having a quality knife can easily cut down on your prep work. The best multi-purpose knife to use is a chef knife, and it doesn’t get much better than the Wusthof Classic. This knife is made of the best materials, carefully crafted and tested for sharpness and quality, and is backed with a great warranty. Despite its higher price, this is one knife you won’t ever have to replace in your kitchen.